Local fundraisers support the troops and other good causes

Outback Steakhouse, a longtime supporter of U.S. military troops, will donate $1 million to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that provides emergency and morale support for active troops, veterans and their families. In the month of March, Outback is holding a month-long “Thanks for Giving” effort in participating restaurant locations. Visit Outback restaurants in March and order from the “Red, White and Bloomin’” menu and proceeds will help to meet the $1 million commitment to Operation Homefront. Honors for kicking off the campaign in Miami went to the Outback location at 82nd and West Flagler; however, all the locations including South Miami will offer this yummy menu. Tanya Gregorich, Proprietor of the Flagler restaurant, kicked the campaign off welcoming lots of veterans with Tracy Kruse, Outback’s Joint Venture Partner; and General Manager, Matthew Gentry. Among the many guests were Joe Giambrone, South Florida Area President Navy League of the United States; Dr. Lorena Morrison, Dr. Teri Logan, and Reverend Woody Gentry, of Miami Christian Scool; and Lynn Bauer, of Bauer Financial, to mention a few.

Look for South Miami civic, business, and community leaders, and former Miami Heat guard/guest emcee Tim Hardaway at an upcoming fundraiser for the South Miami Drug-Free Coalition at the King Pins Challenge II. This fun-filled evening of bowling for family, friends, and business colleagues will be held Sunday, March 21 from 5-8 p.m. at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, at The Shops of Sunset in South Miami. Event co-chairs are former South Miami Mayors Julio Robaina, Mary Scott Russell, and Horace Feliu with newly elected Mayor Philip K. Stoddard and former Mayor Dr. Anna Price serving as honorary co-chairs. Joining them will be teams representing Miami-Dade Commissioner Carlos A. Gimenez, the South Miami Police Department, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, South Miami Hospital, First National Bank of South Miami, South Miami Senior High School, the Red Sunset Merchants Association and other area business owners. General admission spectator tickets at $20 per person include Splitsville’s buffet and non-alcoholic beverage. For tickets contact Informed Families at 305-856-4886 or online to www.informedfamilies.org. Coldwell Banker Coral Gables Sunset Office recently made a second annual gift of $1,500 to the Grey Ghosts of South Miami for team equipment and uniforms through its charitable arm, Coldwell Banker Cares Foundation. The Cares Foundation also supports nine other charitable organizations including Ronald McDonald House at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Coldwell Banker’s Patricia Klock Parker, who works hard for this group, presented the check to the Grey Ghosts with Brian Beasley.

On Saturday, March 20, The Wellness Community – Greater Miami and the Eden Roc, Miami Beach will celebrate the Annual Heart Gold Gala with a musical performance by Z-6 Band; Dr. Ziffer and an extravagant live auction emceed by CBS-TV’s chief weathercaster Lonnie Quinn.

This year’s Heart of Gold Gala has been made possible by the committee’s star players – Founder of The Wellness Community – Greater Miami, Pamela Katz Zakheim, Board Chairman Adam Spiegel, Gala Chair Debra Schot tenstein and Honorary Chair Michael Capponi. Also honored at this year’s Gala will be one outstanding award recipient: Heart of Gold Honoree, David O c t a v i o Gandell. For more i n f o r m a t i o n , contact The We l l n e s s Community at 305-668-5900 or log on to www.twcmiami.org. Until next week, keep making each day count.

Gloria Burns is Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Pinecrest, a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization, as well as a columnist for Community Newspapers. Keeping abreast of community activities is a challenge. If you would like to submit information for this column, please send your news via e-mail to gloriagalburns@aol.com
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About the Author

A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel as well as non profit consulting and management. Active in many non profits, she received numerous awards across the community. Among her list of current responsibilities, Burns co-chairs two annual student recognition breakfasts for the Coral Gables Friends of Education; helps coordinate charity partners for the Westin Colonnade's Annual Give Kids the World Breakfast; serves on the board of directors of Doral Business Council; is Parliamentarian and serves on the board of the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club; serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables and is Publicity Chair; and is a member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee. Gloria is also an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, where she sings in the choir. She can be reached at gloria@communitynewspapers.com

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